One-way seal



Oct. 21, 1952 w. s'roRM 2,614,793

ONE-WAY SEAL wr-Stm Oct. 21, 1952 L.. w. STORM 2,614,793

QuE-WAY SEAL Filed Deo. 23, 194e sheetsmn 2 /5 V 2 mmf/WMM 7 l *l/ I: i 5.6.

/ad I4 www .Arme/VLEK l.. w. STORM 2,614,793

ONE-WAY SEAL 4 Sheets-Shoo# 3 gwvwvkw UC, n. XM

Oct. 2l, 1952 Filed Deo. 2:5, 1948 .0. ...lm ,b w y e .n H ab 2. Z .d 3 4 2 V/////// 2, M J l mm, 7 4 w 4 Z AL U 4J l|||l1 ./,7////////// 5/ /.///7////a u :M 2 19m m Patented ct. 21, 1952 oNE-WAY SEAL e `Lynn `Storm, .Heusweiler- Application December 23, 1948, Serial No. 66,911

This. invention relates to a `one. Way StLL` An object ,of the invention is to providea ,Seal between either plane or cylindrical surfaces whether the parts between which the iseal is located are relative movable or stationary with respect to each other.

The construction is such that iluid to be `oon-- trolled may readily move between the parts in .one direction butwill automatically seal between the parts toprevent movement of the` fluid in the other direction. i

More specifically the invention embodies a seal ring which is seated in one of said parts which will form a seal between` the parts upon the application of fluid pressure thereto in onedirection with suitable relief passageways provided in the assembly to allow lmovement oi theA fluid between the parts in the other direction.

The invention also includes yieldable means in association with the seal ring .to assist in maintaining the seal ring in sealing position or in returning it to said position aftervit has been moved to inactive, or lay-passing, position.v

`The `invention is particularlyuseiul in sealing between a piston and cylinder and in one of the illustrations disclosed has been shown embodied vin a well tool commonly known as a jar .for releasing stuck objects from wells. i

Otherobjects and advantages will be apparent from the following specilication 4which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1" is afragnientary, vertical, sectional te` ap'ston and view of the invention as applied cylinder assembly;`

` Figure 2 ,is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view thereof taken on the line 2-2- of -Figure l.

i Figure 3 isa fragmentary, sectional view of another embodiment of the invention showing the seal ring in sealing position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view, as shown in Figure `3, showing the seal 4ring 4in bypassing position. A

` Figure 5 is a fragmentary, plan view illustrating the 'seal ring groove and `by-passes of the types shown in Figures `3 and 4.

Figure 6 is 4a fragmentary, sectional `view of a slightly modified form of views shown in Figures 3`5 showing `the seal ring in sealing position.

Figure `'i "is a partial plan view thereof illustrating the seal ring in by-passing position.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary, sectional view 4of the -form shown in Figures 3 4and tlrwherein the seal vring isassisted by a mechanical expansion spring.

Figures 9 and 10 formsideviews vof assisting springs employed.

i claims. (C1- 2.5111119)` Figure 1,1 illustrates .the invention as applied t0 a piston and `.oy1imieri" l. i

`Figure l2` isa fragmentary,` sectional View illustrating another vembtniunent .ofthe invenilfb .diS-

kclosedin Figure 11.

\ Figure. i3 is a. fragmentary, sectional view 0f another embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure l2.

Figure le is a. sectional view of` the upper end of a jarring tool ,embodying the invention and Figure y15 is a sectional view Aor 4the Alower end of said-jarring tool. i i

Referring now more particularly ltoy the .drawings the numeral l ,designates a cylinder which, in the present illustration uhas alliner l.

Reciprocable in this .cylinder there is a. piston 3 which is provided with a piston rod .4.,

In the illustration referred Ato the piston and piston rod are tubular andon thepiston rod Vand spaced from the end of the piston there4 is an annular flange 5 which is maintainednin place by `means: of a connecting rod, as .6., threaded onto the piston rod 4andin `abutting relation with said flange. l

Around .the piston rod A; `and between the piston 3 and the flange 5 there is asleeve f1 .which lits closely within the cylinder but which is spaced from the. .piston rod andwhich also has aclearance betweenthepiston and the flange .5..

T-hesleeve 1 `has an endgroove irl-which there is located a seal'ring 19, formed .of rubber `or other suitable material.

When the pressure of fluid about .the piston is in the (direction indicated by thearrow in `Figure I said pressure fluid `will `pass between the 4piston and cylinder and thence between the .piston and piston rod on `the `one hand and .the sleeve 1 on the other hand will enter the groove. 8 through `radial .passageways l0 -provided inthe end oi said sleeve and this 4pressure will .force the Lring outwardly into the positioniindicated in Figure l thus forming a seal `to stopthe ilow ofY .fluid but when the fluid pressure is in the opposite direction the `seal ring 9 will be forced inwardly, or contracted,` so as to allow lthe pressure iluid to pass through the passageways II), the seal ring! thus, in effect, forming a valve. A

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3 to 5, inclusive, wherein there iswdisclosed a cylinder Il and fixed part l2, corresponding to the flange 5 shown in Figure il, and a (zo-.operating part I3 corresponding tothe partl in Figure 1, the same type oivalve is disclosed as shown in Figures 1 and 2. `In `this embodiment the end ofthe part, t3, adjacent the Ipart 52 is 3 provided with an annular groove I4 having the inwardly directed radial passageways I5 with a seal ring I6 in the groove which is formed of resilient material, such as rubber.

When the pressure fluid is operating in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 3, that is radially outwardly against the seal ring I5, said ring will be forced outwardly and be deformed as shownvin said last mentioned figure to closethe passageway between the parts I2 and I3 to prevent the flow of said fluid; but when the pressure fluid is operating in the opposite direction, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4, the' seal ring I will be forced inwardly so as to clear the passageways I5 to allow the fluid to pass, said seal ring I6, in this instance, also acting as a valve.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown the cylinder I I and the fixed partl I2 with a co-operating part i3d. The end of the part 13a adjacent the part I2 is formed with an annular groove 4Ilia'which is not only widened radially but which is also gradually deepened inwardly and longitudinally of the part I3a to form a by-pass so that as the seal ring i6, in said groove, is contracted inwardly there will be ample space for the passage of the pressure uid around said seal ring.

Upon radial-outward movement of the pressure fluid, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 3, the seal ring Iiil shown in Figure 6 will be forced outwardly against the outer wall of the groove Ilia and will be expanded against the part I2, as shown, so as to form a seal to prevent the Y passage of pressure fluid; but when the pressure of the iiuid is in the opposite direction the seal ring I6 will be contracted into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6 and infulllines in Figure 7 so as to allow the uid, under pressure, to pass, said seal ring in this instance also forming a valve. As the seal ring I6 is forced radially inwardly it will assume a sinuous shape, as shown in Figure 7, but will not interfere with the passage of the iiuid under pressure.

In the form illustrated in Figure 8 there is a .seal ring I3 in the annular groove I :ib in the .end of the part |31? adjacent the part I2 and this f seal ring may be reinforced, if necessary, by the resilient split ring I'I, fitted within .the resilient ring l 6 or by the sinuous but continuous resilient ring I8, shown in Figure 10. These rings I"I and I8 may be formed of steel or other suitable flexible material. f

The groove Elib, shown in the end ofthe part Ib, is slightly diiferent in vshape from the groove Ma in that it is not widened inwardly but is provided with spaced passageways, as illustrated in Y Figures 4 and 5.

I Referring te Figures 11, 12 and i3 there is shown a cylinder I9 with the solid pistons Z, 20d and Zb therein which are spaced from the cylinderfwalls to provide a fluid passageway.

The piston is provided with an external annular groove 2l whichv is widened inwardly and whose widened end is provided with passageways 22 leading outwardly therefrom. Within the groove 2l there is a seal ring 23 formed of rubber or other suitable resilient material. l

outwardly from the inner side thereof, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, and in each of said grooves there is the seal ring 23. In each of the Figures 11, l2 and 13, upon application of pressure uid in one direction the seal ring will be moved into the position indicated in each of the figures and deformed under the influence of said pressure to form a seal between the piston and cylinder to prevent the passage of said pressure iiuid, and in this connection the form illustrated in Figure 13 is provided with a spiralled spring 21 within the groove 25 and which normally acts against the seal ring 23 to hold it in sealing position.

Upon the pressure uid being applied in the opposite direction the seal ring will be moved in the opposite direction so as to open the passageways 22 or 26, as the case may be, to permit free passage of said fluid under pressure.

As illustrated in Figures 14 and l5 the numeral .28 designates a string of drill pipe having a pin threaded into a tubular coupling 33'to which any suitable type of grapple 3d may be attached. v

The piston stern extends up through` therbarrel and threaded onto the upper'endthereiis a wash pipe which extends up into the barrel 29. The piston stem 32 and `wash pipe 35move as a unit which is sealed withzthe lower end ofthe barrel by the annular seal rings 36 between them and with the lower end ofthe body by. means of the seal rings 3'! between them.

The upper end of the piston' stem is enlarged in external diameter forming a piston head 43201, and above said head, beneath the lower end of the wash pipe 35 there is a piston 38. This piston is loosely mounted on the piston stem, Vthere being a passageway 39 between them and the lower end of the piston is formed' with an internal annular groove 4I) whose lower end hasthe downwardly and outwardly spaced passageways III which Iare spaced apart around the piston.

Within the groove 40 there vis a sealring S2 formed of rubber or other similar sealingmaterial which fits closely around the piston stem332.

Y A'Spaced beneath the head 32a the piston stem is provided with external longitudinal ribs, or splines 43 spaced apart therearound which intermesh with similar internal longitudinal ribs. or splines M in the upper end of the lower body section EI. These splines allow relativelongitudinal movement between the piston stem and body but prevent their relative rotation. K

The body section 3G, near its upper, end, is internally reduced in diameter thus forming a cylinder 45. Y I

The piston 38 is of an outside diametersto iit snugly within the cylinder 45 as it passes therethrough but it isto be noted-,that the inside diameter of the cylinder 45 is somewhat less than the corresponding inside diameter of the `body of the tool. Therefore when the piston v3&2' is beneath the cylinder Yd5 there will be a continuous cylindrical chamber i6 within and beneath 'the cylinder 45 within the body which-is completely filled withv a suitable flu-id such as'heavy oil.

Obviously any attempt to force the piston through the cylinder 45 will ybe opposed by the liquid which is substantially non-compressible. Therefore to allow movement of the piston up- ,ardly relative to the.` body, the 'restricted duct 3;9 hasbeen provided.

\ -Inoperation the tool may be assembled as .shownn Figureswlayl and lowered into the `well bore untilthe grapple is in position to the .piston under compression.` When the lower f end ofli-theylinder 45 passesthe upper end of the pistonjuthere will `be a clearance between ypistonand thebody 3,0, 3| so as to" relieve SBid`;pr$S,l1 1Te and the tension of the drill-,stem rmi ,causante upper endof the lower body Suction 3| to `strike against the head 32a thus imparting asudden upward jar to the tooland to .the stuck pipe to-Vwhich the lower endoi the grapple 34 is secured,A i

Upon downward-movement oi the string 255, the barrel and the body 30, 3| the operating fluid aboyegthe piston $8 will readily flow-downwardly through the passageway `39, the groove 40 and the passageways 4| so as to set the tool in the position shown in Figures 14 and 15 for another upward jar, if the same be necessary.

The drawings and description illustrate and describe what is now considered to be a preferred form of the invention merely by way of illustration while it is contemplated that various changes may be made in the mechanical construction within the scope oil the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A one way seal between two adjacent parts secured together and having a fluid passageway between them, one oi said parts having a groove facing the other part, a sealing element having a circular cross section in the groove in engagement with said parts, said groove having a portionof greater depth mediate the sides of the groove than at one side thereof and forming a by-pass in communication with said passageway at the other side of said groove and opening into said groove between the sides thereof, said sealing element being of a smaller transverse diameter than the width of the groove and said element .being yieldably movable in the groove into one position mediate the sides of the groove, under the influence of iuid pressure in one direction, to open the by-pass to permit the now of said pressure fluid, and said sealing element being movable under the inuence of fluid pressure in the other direction, into another position in engagement with the parts to seal said passageway against the flow of said pressure fluid through the passageway.

2. A one way seal between two adjacent parts secu-red together and having a passageway for fluid between them, one of said parts having an annular groove therein facing the other part, an annular sealing element in the groove in engagement with the parts, the radial cross section of said element being less than that of the groove, said groove having a by-pass communicating at one end with said passageway at one side of said groove and opening at the other end into said groove at a point between the sides thereof, said element being yieldably movable into one position mediate the ends of said by-pass, under the inuence of fluid pressure in one direction, to open the by-pass and being yieldably engageable with thepther` side ofsaid groove uponcessationof the -uidg pressure in said one direction to close and seal saidpassageway against the flow of iiuid lin the other direction. i :.1 z

3;.` A one way seal between two adjacent parts having a passagewayfor fluid betweenfthem, `one of `said parts having an annular groove therein, facing theother part, an annular` resilient sealing element in thegroove, saidgroove'having an annular `portion of greater depth mediate the sides ofthe groovethan `at oneside thereof, said portion forming a 'bv- Dess ncommunicatonwth said passagewayatone side.ofsaidgroove` and openingfinto'the groove between `the sides thereof, saidsealing `element being of lessv diameter, in crosssection, than the widthof the groove and beingfiree to move into one position mediate the sides -of the groove, under the inuence `of fluid pressurein one direction, to open the by-passand being movable into` another position in ,engagerment with the parts,` under the innuenoe of huid pressure in the opposite direction, to. close and seal said passagewayand `yieldable means in the groove normally acting to hold said sealing element in said sealing position. s s, l 4;, AjA device,V of the character described comprising; two adjacent` parts secured together and having a huid passageway between them, valve means for controlling the passage of fluid under `pressure through said passageway, said valve means including an annular groove in one of said parts which faces the other and which forms a valve seat, said groove having an annular portion of greater depth mediate the sides of the groove than the depth of the grooveat one side thereof, said portion forming a by-pass in communication with said passageway at the other side of the groove and opening into the groove between the sides thereof, a `resilient sealing element in the seat, forming a valve, said sealing element being of less diameter, in cross section, than the width or the groove and being yieldably movable in the seat, under the influence of the pressure of fluid in one direction, to a position mediate the sides of the groove to open the by-pass to allow flow of said fluid through the passageway and said element being adapted to yieldingly engage the side of the groove beyond the opening of said by-pass therein upon cessation of the flow of the pressure iiuid in said one direction to close and seal said passageway to prevent the iow of said iiuid through the passageway in theother direcnon.

5. A one way seal between two adjacent parts having a passageway for fluid between them, one of said parts having an annular groove therein facing the other part, and said groove having a by-pass communicating at one end with said passageway at one side of the groove and opening into the groove mediate the sides thereof, an annular sealing element of resilient material in the groove whose diameter in the unstressed condition of the element is such as to cause the element to assume a position between the ends of the by-pass to open the by-pass to permit the flow of pressure uid in one direction through said passageway, said sealing element being deiormable under the inuence of said pressure iluid in the other direction into a position to seal said passageway against the flow of said pressure i of said parts having an annular groove therein i facing the other part, said groove having inner and outer radially spaced walls and said one part having a by-pass communicating at its inner end with said passageway and opening at its outer end into said groove at a point between said walls, an annular, radially-expansible, sealing element in the groove which in the unstressed condition of the element ts said inner wall to open the by-pass to permit the flow of pressure fluid in one direction through the passageway, said element being expansible under the iniiuence of said pressure fluid in the other direction to a position radially outwardly of the outer end of the by-pass to seal said passageway against the flow of pressure iiuid through the passageway.

7. A one way seal between two adjacent parts having a passageway for fluid between them, one of said parts having an annular groove therein, said groove having spaced side walls and an annular bottom wall, said one of said parts also having a by-pass communicating at one end with said passageway and terminating at the other end in an opening in the bottom of the groove, an annular sealing element of resilient material in the groove movable, under the inuence of the ow of pressure fluid in one direction, to a position between one of said side walls and said opening to open the by-pass to permit the flow o f pressure fluid in said one direction through said pas- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 2,763 Wood Sept. 10, 1867 967,514 Groh Aug. 16,1910 1,366,151 Astrom Jan. 18, 1921 1,861,755 Rasmussen June 7, 1932 2,313,284 Valentine Mar. 9, 1943 2,366,080 Wingate Dec. 26, 1944 2,404,547 Strid July 23, 1946 2,481,482 Green Sept. 13,1949

FOREIGN vPATENTS Number Country Date 361,646 Germany Oct. 17, 1922 640,530 Germany Jan. 6, 1937 

